In this episode of the Designers at Home series, I had the pleasure of visiting the home of Charlotte-based interior designer Hill Rondero. I first met Hill when she moderated a design talk I gave at Slate Interiors, and I immediately knew I wanted to see her home.  It’s a great example of what a cohesive house can look like. Nothing in the space is trying to be the star; instead, everything works together. It was the conversation happening between everything: the vintage French pieces next to mid-century chrome, the tattered leathers beside rattan, the quiet discipline of a neutral palette layered with texture after texture. Hill proves that when you let materials, art, and collected objects do the talking, color almost becomes secondary. Her home feels calm but never boring, thoughtful but never precious—and along the way we talk about risk-taking in design, why texture palettes matter just as much as color palettes, and how the things you’re most afraid to try are often the very things that make a space unforgettable.

I kicked off this episode right where so many of us get stuck: drowning in throw pillows, 50 open browser tabs, and a vague sense that something is just… off. I’ve seen it all—the accidental French country phase, the “eclectic with a touch of hoarding” situation, the guilt over meaningful heirlooms that don’t quite fit. And here’s the truth bomb: The problem isn’t your taste. It’s starting from a category instead of your own story. “Life informs style” means two things: your home should support how you actually live, and it should reflect your specific, one-of-a-kind life. Not a catalog’s version of you. When you begin with what you want to feel—calm, grounded, inspired—you make clearer decisions with a lot less overwhelm. Even in tight seasons with kids, budgets, or rentals, beauty isn’t a luxury; it’s a refuge. Start with your story, and the room follows.

In this episode of Think Like a Designer, I sit down with Christina Cruz to talk about what slow style really looks like in action. Her aesthetic may be more modern and pared back than mine, but it’s just as layered and soulful. We explore how she blends antiques with clean lines, incorporates meaningful travel finds, and uses natural materials to warm up contemporary spaces. From gallery walls built around collected art to a moody office-turned-bar and family-friendly kitchens that don’t sacrifice beauty, Christina proves that great design isn’t about trends—it’s about intention. Different look, same philosophy: create a home that tells your story.

In this episode, I have the absolute pleasure of stepping inside the Los Angeles home of designer Sean Leffers—someone whose work I admire for its depth, sensitivity, and extraordinary sense of narrative. From the moment we walk through the door, it’s clear that Sean doesn’t decorate; he curates a life. His rooms are layered with art, antiques, travel finds, spiritual references, and handmade pieces that carry memory and lineage.

As we tour, Sean shares the stories behind Japanese metalwork born from peacetime, Brazilian and Sri Lankan furniture, colonial Peruvian carving, block-printed textiles from India, and contemporary works by artists he loves and champions. We talk about how culture travels, how objects evolve across borders, and why the blurred line between art and craft makes a home feel human.

Most of all, this episode is about connection. Each vignette becomes an invitation—to ask questions, to linger, to see more.  If you want a home that feels personal, soulful, and deeply lived in, this conversation is full of inspiration.

In this episode, I’m reflecting on the idea that it’s never too late to begin again—especially when it comes to our homes. After returning from a deeply inspiring trip to London, where I was immersed in British craftsmanship and design culture, I found myself thinking about how differently we approach decorating in the UK versus the US. The British emphasis on creativity, comfort, patina, and lived-in beauty feels closely aligned with my slow style philosophy, especially when contrasted with America’s fixation on trends, perfection, and convenience. I explore how our fear of imperfection and maintenance has quietly shaped our choices, often pulling us away from natural materials, meaningful objects, and the joy of caring for what we own. To bring these ideas into practice, I invite you to step away from algorithms and quick fixes and instead create a tangible, real-life vision board for your home—one rooted in personal experience, inspiration, and the kind of life you want to live there.

This episode is part two of my Best of 2025 series, and it’s all about show and tell—those moments when designers walk us through a room and explain why it works. I pulled clips from conversations where we slowed down and really looked at composition, color, pattern, texture, and the quiet decisions that hold a space together. These are rooms best seen as much as heard, which is why this episode pairs especially well with YouTube. From bold, expressive spaces to calm, disciplined palettes, each designer reveals how intention, repetition, and play shape the way a room feels. It’s a reminder that beautiful interiors aren’t accidental—they’re built thoughtfully, one choice at a time.

I’m bringing you along with me to Santa Fe for a quiet, layered look inside the home of designer Heather French—a place that feels deeply rooted in its landscape and gently expressive of the family who lives there. Walking through her territorial-style house, especially dressed for the holidays, felt like a reminder that good design isn’t about spectacle, but about intention: rooms shaped by how they’re truly used, materials that show age and wear with grace, and traditions that build warmth over time. From fruit-laden tables and needlepoint banquettes to a kitchen designed for lingering and a living room meant for both conversation and rest, Heather’s home is a beautiful example of how style can be personal, soulful, and quietly enduring

As we wrapped up the year, I found myself gathering the moments from the show that moved me the most—the conversations that nudged me to think differently about home, beauty, and the way we shape our days. Revisiting these clips felt a bit like walking back through rooms I love: Olga reminding us that tiny shifts in our spaces can spark self-worth; Danielle celebrating the joyful friction of mixing styles; Bailey inviting us into that fearless creative “zone.” Then there were the makers—Francesca stirring pigments into velvety limewash, Brea and Guy rescuing centuries-old stone, and Michal weaving stories through embroidery—each one revealing the human hands and histories behind the things we live with. Sharing these voices again felt like opening a window to everything I believe about Slow Style: that beauty is both mirror and guide, and that home is an ever-evolving conversation between who we are and who we’re becoming.

This week’s episode is a sweet, simple reminder of how small changes can make a home feel more like you. Laurie and I began in her kitchen, at the long window seat that greets you the moment you enter from the back door. Even with its beautiful view, it felt unfinished to her—like it wasn’t yet saying, We live here. As we talked, I encouraged her to trust the instincts she already had: using her own textiles, adding a little color, choosing organic patterns, and even hanging plants to bring some life into the space. We moved through the nearby rooms too, touching on lighting challenges and the beginnings of a gallery wall. In the end, every question circled back to the same truth: her home just needed more of her, and she already knew exactly how to make that happen.

In this episode, I’m sharing the full talk I gave at the launch party for Slow Style Home—the one moment from that night we didn’t manage to record. I walk through the long, winding path that led me here, why the cultural noise around “dream homes” pushed me to write this book, and how serendipity, inspiration, and experimentation became the backbone of the Slow Style approach. I also take you behind the scenes of the event itself—yes, including the Little Yellow Couch, the Aperol spritz, and all the small details that tell a bigger story about creating a home that reflects who you are. If you’ve ever wondered what Slow Style really looks like in practice, this talk is the closest thing to standing in the room with me.

In this episode, I talk with the wonderfully creative Fariha Nasir about how she transformed her builder-grade house into a deeply personal, heritage-rich home through bold DIY projects and meaningful design. Fariha shares how reconnecting with her Pakistani roots shifted her entire approach to style, leading her to incorporate block prints, color, pattern, and handmade details throughout her home. We walk through her favorite spaces, discuss the power of learning new skills, and explore how she creates a beautiful, intentional environment for her family. It’s an inspiring reminder that our homes can tell our stories—and that we can build them with our own hands.

In this episode of the Slow Style Home Podcast, I speak with Michal Silver, Creative Director at Christopher Farr Cloth, whose work is guided by curiosity, collaboration, and a deep respect for history. Michal shares how their textiles and wallpapers grow slowly from long conversations with artists, archives, and craftspeople around the world—allowing time for ideas to unfold rather than following fast-paced production cycles. She reflects on the joy of being pushed out of her comfort zone, the role of the hand in design, and the importance of creating interiors that feel personal and lived-in rather than perfect. Ultimately, this conversation is about embracing the slow evolution of home and creativity—letting spaces grow with us, layer by layer.

In this episode of the Slow Style Home podcast, I talk with professional organizer Tracy McCubbin about how to approach the holidays with less clutter and more intention. Tracy shares what it’s been like helping clients rebuild after the LA fires and how loss reshapes our relationship with stuff. We discuss mindful giving, thoughtful donations, and finding joy in using what we already have. Her reminder stayed with me: your home should support you, not overwhelm you—and small, simple steps can make that possible.

If you’ve ever wondered how a designer really lives, you’ll love this week’s “Designers at Home” episode. I visited Julia Chasman in her Pasadena Craftsman, and her home is a masterclass in warmth, humor, and fearless pattern mixing. We talk about her buffalo-check chair from the Pasadena Showcase, the story behind her antique Steinway, and why a little imperfection—and a wink of whimsy—makes a room come alive.  

Julia’s space feels like Slow Style in motion: personal, soulful, and full of stories. Tune in if you need a dose of creative inspiration and want to remember why decorating your home should always bring you joy.

In this final episode of the season, I get to sit down with the one and only Vern Yip—yes, that Vern Yip! You probably know him from his trailblazing days on design television, but today he joins me to talk about his beautiful new book, Color, Pattern, Texture. We dive into everything from the deeply personal story of a scroll his mother carried while fleeing communist China, to how he uses those kinds of meaningful objects as the foundation for timeless design. Vern shares why starting with what matters most to you—not trends—creates homes that are layered, enduring, and uniquely yours. We look closely at some of the spaces from his book, break down why they work, and talk about the emotional side of design: how a room can tell your story, reflect who you are, and even help you step into who you want to become.

In this episode, I talk with designer and shop owner Stephanie Rudloe about her work with Marrakesh Designs and her long collaboration with Moroccan artisans. Stephanie shares how she first fell in love with Moroccan craft, from rugs and doors to brass lighting and pottery, and how these handmade pieces bring depth and character into our homes. We also explore how to layer just a touch of Morocco into everyday interiors in a way that feels natural and personal without going overboard or being overly thematic. What we find is that certain Moroccan objects and motifs have been design staples for many decades in America. 

In this episode, I sit down with designer and shop owner Molly Carter, whose passion for sustainability and storytelling in design is contagious. We talk about what it means to buy with your values, how she sources everything from hundred-year-old rugs to locally made candles, and why slowing down matters when you’re building a home. Molly shares the stories behind her favorite projects, including a wine country retreat and a mid-century gem in Placerville, and reminds us that every choice—from a pillow to a piece of art—can carry history, culture, and care. 

In this episode, I sit down with Breda and Guy Kellner of Paris Ceramics to talk about their extraordinary work with natural and reclaimed stone. I’ve long admired how they honor the history and geology of each material, transforming salvaged slabs into flooring, fireplaces, and surfaces that feel both timeless and deeply alive. We talk about what it means to live with materials that change and age, why patina is worth celebrating, and how true craftsmanship connects us to the past while shaping spaces for the future. This is a conversation about beauty, imperfection, and choosing to design with time—not trends.

In this episode, I talk with Natalie Papier about her new book, “Start With the Art”. Natalie explains why the art you choose—whether it’s from a flea market, your kids, or a gallery—can and should be the starting point for designing a room. We discuss how art can shape color palettes, patterns, and materials, and why it tells the real story of a home. Natalie also shares examples from her own spaces, advice on experimenting with paint and scale, the importance of adding humor (think six-foot fiberglass ostrich), and personality to your interiors.

Looking back, my kitchen has gone through many lives. It started with painted cabinets and bamboo floors on a tight budget, then evolved through a moody green phase during COVID before finally landing on a navy-and-white look inspired by the sea. Along the way, we tiled to the ceiling, swapped in a gorgeous Bertazzoni stove, shiplapped the ceiling, and added furniture pieces to make it feel warm and lived-in rather than purely functional. Each change taught me something about color, materials, and the value of taking time to figure out what really works.

With my renovation journey behind me, I sit down with Barbara Ballinger and Margaret Crane, authors of Kitchen Conversations, to talk about what really goes into creating a kitchen that works for you. We cover the basics like layout, storage, and lighting, and why planning for how you actually use the space matters more than following trends. Barbara and Margaret share practical tips on where to save, when to splurge, and how to avoid common renovation mistakes. We also discuss making design choices that last, adding personality to your kitchen, and how to approach the entire process without rushing it.